Sunderland - Chelsea

Sunderland perhaps made a great deal selling Bent for 24mill, but on the other hand that left them without too much options in attack. For tonight’s game, Danny Welbeck is sidelined which should mean Asamoah Gyan will be alone in front line (new signing Muntari isn’t available). Without intention to put his qualities in doubt, he’s best as support forward and don’t think he alone is capable to seriously harm Chelsea’s back four. Sunderland have very good home record with just one defeat (Blackpool 0-2) out of 11 games. They stayed undefeated against Gunners (1-1) and Man Utd (0-0). However, against Chelsea they have unreal stats. 3-0 won at Stamford ended a run of 11 consecutive defeats (last five at home).

Chelsea started to show some signs of waking up with two league wins against Blackburn at home 2-0 and Bolton away 4-0. Torres won’t be in a team tonight, but his arrival (as well as capture of David Luiz) should be a real boost and recover of title hopes. On the other hand, failure at the Stadium of Light would end it very fast. Chelsea have the best defensive record (19 goals conceded) with Cech impressing lately, Drogba has returned something of his old shape, Anelka scored 6 goals in last 5 league games against Sunderland and I believe in their good display tonight.

Despite that very good record against Sunderland, Chelsea won four of mentioned five at Stadium of Light by one. Bearing in mind their humiliation in reverse fixture, I think it could be something more.

Bet: Chelsea -0.75
Odd: 1.98 Pinnacle, bet365
Stake: 8/10

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Chelsea-Inter

Well,I've been thinking a lot about this one.Main question for me is who has a bigger problem.

a)Turnbull-Chelsea
In my opinion,he's actually better option than Hilario,but this is not FA Cup and I'm not sure how he'll cope with the pressure.I have no doubt,Mourinho mentioned him in at least one interview just to make him additionally nervous.And his debut in CL (Apoel, 2-2 at home) wasn't so bright. Public say they're cursed.First Terry slipped in Moscow,then were robbed by that bold punk,this time maybe one Turnbull's mistake and 0-1 at the start.And I'm really scary when try to imagine Turnbull with Sneijder,Eto'o or Milito in one picture.

b)Defence line-Inter
It's not the same game.Pulling the shirt is a yellow card,everywhere except in Italy.Kicking in the someone's legs in 16 metres is penalty.Karate kick in the stomach is a red card.Referee is German and I'm not sure how much Maicon,Lucio,Samuel and Zanetti can follow this rules when face Drogba or Anelka for example.With Ballack even more harder.

I have no doubt for which side I'll cheer up,for Chelsea.Their advantage is team quality.They play as a squad,not like a bunch of spoiled stars.On the other side...You can love him or hate him,but he's simply genius.Jose Mourinho will be biggest strength for Inter.1.60 for a home win?Why then you don't bet on -1 ah at 2.05-2.15?What's the possibility for end with one goal margin for Chelsea?

Eventually,I've concluded there's no reason to be nervous about a game like this.Pint of a beer and enjoying in tv coverage.Also,I'm sure this game can not end peacefully.No chance.My bet will be on a red card.

Cheers,

Dule

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Racing Santander 3–2 Valladolid

Racing Santander are all but guaranteed Primera Division football next season after coming from behind to beat 10-man Real Valladolid 3-2 at El Sardinero.
Oscar Serrano got the Cantabrians off to a great start when he fired the home side in front after just four minutes, but Valladolid hit back with two quick strikes from Victor and Henok Goitom to go in ahead at the interval.
Valladolid were reduced to 10 men three minutes after the break, though, when Inaki Bea was sent-off and Jonathan Pereira levelled for the home side on the hour mark.
The visitors defended bravely after that, but Nikola Zigic struck with a header five minutes from time to give Racing a vital win, which sees them move up to 42 points - five clear of the drop zone with only six to play for.

Racing: Toño, Valera (Pinillos m. 25), Marcano, Christian Fernández (Edu Bedia m. 25), Sepsi, Moratón, Munitis, Pereira, Zigic y Oscar Serrano (Tchité m. 70).

Real Valladolid: Sergio Asenjo, Javier Baraja, Iñaki Bea, Luis Prieto (Óscar Sánchez m. 35), Marcos, Pedro León (Jesús Rueda m. 49), Borja, Álvaro Rubio, Jonathan Sesma (Canobbio m. 66), Goitom y Canobbio.

Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn

1 - 0 F. Malouda  4.min.

2 - 0 N. Anelka  59.min

Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP 

Manchester United have held talks with Kaka's representatives over a sensational summer move for the Brazilian AC Milan star. (Sun)
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted for the first time that Argentine striker Carlos Tevez could leave Old Trafford in the summer. (Various)
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season because AC Milan will not pay the £9m fee to turn his loan deal permanent. (Sun) 
The Blues are willing to listen to offers for striker Nicolas Anelka at the end of the season and hope to recoup most of the £15m they spent to sign him from Bolton. (Times)
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne has emerged as a shock target for Real Madrid.
Middlesbrough will sell Stewart Downing in the summer, with Liverpool the favourites to beat off competition from Totenham to land the £10m-rated England winger. (Daily Mail)
Fulham defenders Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes could leave the club in the summer after rejecting improved contract offers. (Sun) 
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has warned off potential suitors by insisting he has no intention of leaving "the best club in the world". (Daily Mail)
Tottenham are preparing a £1m bid for Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. (Sun) 
 
OTHER GOSSIP 

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes was involved in a training-ground bust-up with defender Micah Richards on Friday. (Various) 
Hughes has opened the door for Jo to resurrect his City career after admitting Everton have yet to make a move to complete a permanent transfer for the on-loan striker. (Daily Telegraph)
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be offered a new six-year contract this summer that would give the 23-year-old parity with defender Rio Ferdinand and forward Cristiano Ronaldo on £125,000 per week. (Sun) 
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke will sign new four-year deals next week - Zola has agreed a £1.6m- a-year contract, while Clarke will become the Premier League's highest paid number two with a £1m wage packet. (Sun)
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia admits he could face the sack even if he keeps the Wearside club in the Premier League. (Various) 
 
AND FINALLY 

One of the first things Nemanja Vidic discovered when he arrived in England three years ago was fish and chips and the Manchester United defender says he intends to celebrate by eating some more if his side brings home any silverware this season. (Sun)
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